The city held a public information session on Monday, Feb. 26 to provide an update on agreements with Xcel Energy related to the city's plans to separate from Xcel's electric distribution system. Boulder and Xcel are nearlly finished with two of three required agreements. The agreements are due March 13, but the city and Xcel will likely ask the Public Utilities Commission for an extension. A council public hearing on the agreements will be scheduled at a later date.

Boulder Energy Future

We're working on forming a locally owned utility (municipalization) and developing future energy strategies. Use this website to learn more about the work we do and get key project updates.

Municipalization Overview

Since 2011, the City of Boulder has explored creating its own municipal electric utility (municipalization) as a path to achieving its goals of 100 percent clean energy and an 80 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050.

The city’s analysis shows that forming a municipal electric utility is one way to to achieve its energy goals, but it remains open to working or partnering with Xcel Energy to find an alternative that is consistent with the city and community’s energy vision.

For more information on how the city reached its decision to explore municipalization, visit the About page.

Our Energy Vision

Transition to 100 percent renewable electricity is essential to achieving an 80 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2050.

Expand rooftop, community and utility-scale solar energy

Boost percentage of wind-produced energy in the energy supply

Encourage use of residential and utility-scale battery storage

Phase out fossil fuel use for electricity generation (for information on plans to phase out fossil fuel used for heating, cooling and transportation, read Boulder's Climate Commitment at www.boulderclimate.com )

Xcel Energy receives approximately $35 million in profits annually from Boulder ratepayers. This money could be retained and reinvested in our own electric system and support the local economy.

Invest in our electric system to support new technology that improve reliability, energy costs, efficiency and customer choice

Retain and attract capital investment in our community

Develop a market for innovative energy products and services

Build a platform for clean tech development to facilitate partnerships with local and regional innovators

Boulder's Climate Commitment

​Transitioning to clean, local and renewable energy is our best opportunity to make a positive impact on climate change. Energy is Boulder’s primary climate focus at this time. While energy efficiency and related investments are essential to long-term impact, we need to fundamentally transform our energy system—electricity, gas, transportation fuels—to achieve our climate goals. For more information on energy and the city's climate commitment, visit www.boulderclimate.com .